To commemorate his 88th birth anniversary on Monday, Google honoured late Kannada superstar Rajkumar with a special doodle which features the veteran actor staring at audiences from a movie screen.
Born in 1929 as Ambrish Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, he was renamed Rajkumar for his on screen avatar.
Actor, singer, legend. Remembering the great #Rajkumar on his 88th birth anniversary. #GoogleDoodle pic.twitter.com/mOoBuruiqW
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) April 24, 2017
With a career spanning over four decades and 200 films, he made his acting debut with 1954 Kannada film Bedara Kannappaa.
He dedicated his career to Kannada cinema and was known for starring in lone Telugu film Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam, a remake of his debut film.
Some of his best films include Ranadheera Kanteerava, Kaviratna Kalidasa, Jedara Bale and Gowri among others.
He was also a very popular singer and has reportedly crooned nearly 300 songs.
Some of the films in which he crooned include Sampathige Saval, Operation Diamond Racket, Jeeva Chaitra and Om.
A recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke Award, his sons Shivrajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar are also popular Kannada actors.
Happy returns of the day to the legend, the superstar, the one & only #DR #RAJKUMAR SIR. #always #LOVED #never #forgotten pic.twitter.com/0OeZlD5b7H
— Rk Raahul (@rahulsalanke145) April 24, 2017
Remembering Dr. Rajkumar on his birth anniversary! #legend
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) April 24, 2017
Remembering The Only Indian Actor who won the National award for the best acting and Play Back singing. #DrRajkumar #RajKumar #Kannada pic.twitter.com/RSUkBjCSax
— ಪ್ರತಾಪ್ ಕಣಗಾಲ್ (@kanagalspeaks) April 24, 2017
"Early drafts of today’s Doodle featured different interpretations of the beloved star’s work. The first illustrates Rajkumar singing and holding the white bird from Kasturi Nivasa, a quintessential Kannada drama and a cornerstone of Rajkumar’s cinematic legacy. Another Doodle draft showcases an array of iconic characters Rajkumar played over a half century of acting. Ultimately the Doodle team decided to feature Rajkumar’s larger-than-life personality beaming at a crowd of moviegoers from the silver screen where his legacy lives on for generations of Indian audiences," Google said in its brief.
With IANS inputs